Q. I live opposite a well-known media personality. Several times
a week, when I am in my kitchen, I see her having a shower in her bathroom, which appears to be without curtains. Since her window is only a few feet away from mine, directly across a tiny courtyard, there is not much I can do to prevent these sightings. I do not want to have my own kitchen blind permanently closed, and if I pull it down whenever I see her, it will look rude. She does not always have her shower at the same time, so I never know when the next display will be. I believe that in her country public nudity is regarded as normal, but I am finding it very unrelaxing. What can I do?
Name and address withheld A. The woman you mention may be uninhibited about nudity, but such displays are still antisocial because the resonance with Hitchcock makes passive observers feel unreasonably guilty. Yet your neighbour may be unaware of just how explicit your viewing opportunities are. Ring her up to announce that you are shortly to have some young men to stay in your flat 'and so I'll be very happy to rush into my kitchen and pull the blind if you want to have a shower. Just ring me and let me know. I wouldn't want them to be tempted to photograph you for the News of the World.' In this way you will see an end to the nuisance.
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